Luxury News from Luxist - Fine Living, Dining, Apparel, Travel, Estates, Shopping

Top Fine Restaurants in Vancouver

by celticmage (RSS feed) — Feb 21st 2010 11:01AM

Watching the Olympics can be hungry work. These restaurants in Vancouver offer a wide sample of the best this city has to offer. Many of the restaurants listed below offer special reservations and menus for visitors in town for the Games.

West Restaurant + Bar
Recognized as the "jewel in Vancouver's culinary crown," West's outstanding contemporary regional cuisine and seamless service has garnered much critical acclaim. Pristine local ingredients are sourced by Executive Chef Warren Geraghty to deliver superbly conceived dishes offering modern interpretations of classics. 2881 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 3J4, Canada‎ -(604) 738-8938‎

Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar
An anchor in Vancouver's culinary landscape, Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar is lauded as the City's definitive destination for seafood. Executive Chef Frank Pabst brilliantly executes innovative West Coast plates, insisting on using seafood from wild and sustainable harvest. At the raw bar, cut master Yoshi Tabo has his own dedicated following for his expert sushi and sashimi. 1095 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 5T4, Canada‎ -(604) 688-8078

The Pointe Restaurant at the Wickaninnish Inn
Chefs John Waller and Nicholas Nutting and their kitchen brigade serve outstanding Pacific Northwest cuisine in this charming restaurant. A focus on farm-fresh, organic Vancouver Island ingredients defines the experience at The Pointe Restaurant. Sublime dessert & extensive wine list. Spectacular view with over 240 degrees of Pacific Ocean. 500 Osprey Lane, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0, Canada‎ -(250) 725-3100

Top 10 Best Spas in Vancouver

by celticmage (RSS feed) — Feb 18th 2010 2:01PM

Although Vancouver, BC is a three-hour drive from my home in Washington state, I venture up there every six weeks or so for hair care at Ian Daburn Salon and to indulge in one of my favorite day spas. Here are my top ten day spas (listed alphabetically) in the vibrant Canadian city of Vancouver. Divine, indeed!

1. Absolute Spa

Absolute Spa has two downtown locations: Century Plaza Hotel at 1015 Burrard St. and the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver at 900 W. Georgia St. Call 604-248-2772 for appointments at both. The spa at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is Vancouver's "first spa for men," and features a 75-minute Gentleman's Facial ($125 CDN). But the spa is women friendly, too.

2. EvelineCharles Spa and Salon
EvelineCharles Spa and Salon, 1495 W. 11th, 604-678-566. This is a sleekly whitewashed second story haven located in the shopping-friendly South Granville Rise area. Get down and dirty with the Mud Slide ($245 CDN), a soothing treatment that includes a mud bath, mud wrap, massage and moisturizer. Mmmm!

3. Miraj Hammam Spa
Miraj Hammam Spa, 1495 W. 6th, 604-733-5151. Middle Eastern treatments are featured here, including the Hammam and Gommage, an exotic steam and exfoliation process, followed by a 30-minute massage ($125 CDN). Luxuriate afterwards In the Sultana Lounge with tea and sweet cakes.

4. Breathe Spa
Breathe Spa, 325 Howe St., Suite 501, 604-688-4769. This sanctuary is tucked away in the fifth floor of the Pacific Coast Building in the heart of the city. Indulge in the "Out of This World" package ($215 CDN) that includes a two-hour Breathe Facial followed by a two-hour Hot Stone Therapy Massage.

5. Skoah
Skoah, 1011 Hamilton Street, 604-642-0200. This is the spot to get the skinny on skin. Featuring its own product lines, the small menu of facials includes everything from a "quickie facial" ($30 CDN) to the more intense "face, peepers and pout" treatment ($100 CDN). Located in trendy Yaletown and just a few flip-flops away from the Opus Hotel, by far the hippest hotel in the 'hood.